The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26
SEQUEL TO AN EL0PEMENT.

When old Silvertoii, the ten broker, died in
he fullHess of years and the odor of city re-
probability, it was pretty generally prophe-
led that his widow would not long remain
sncOnsolablc. For Mrs. Silfcrton was but
title over thirty. being good forty years
younger than her late husband: she was
good-looking, attractive and without draw
aueks in the shape of children. More i'm
9ortant, perhaps, than all, she had a comfort
bic income of six thousand a year, which she
I'D not lose i'll the case OF II second marriage.
jut for some time Mira. Silverton falsi-
i d the predictions OF her acquaint-
noes. She removed from the preten-
ious and doleful splcndor of her defunct
:pnuse's mansion at Norwood, and took
pretty little house in Mayfair. With her
brother, Major Crashnr, she went out much
ntO sGciety-betier society be it said, than
I'D Siivcrton had been wont to mix without
for long time she evinccd no intention what
ryer of changing her condition. This fact
omewhlt astoniahcd the Qltid-nuncs, but
thrre were scyera. reasons for her delay i'll
making u esh Matrimonial experiment. To
Oegin with, her first had not been successful,
'or SIlyertuu was q terrible old cad and
Domestic tyrGnt to boot: then, the widow was
# romantic and sentimental disposition. ali
he more, perhaps, because her irst maria &c
Iad been one OF convenience, and she deer
mined Cow 10 marry no nun with whom she
vas not in love; and. thirdly, Major Crashcr
$50 very serious obstacle in the way of
prospective husbands. This worthy gentle
,lar, in fact, lived upon his sister: he had
-etired from the army on hail-pay at forty,
9nd his Whole income did not exceed 600
'ear-an amount which, needless to say, by no
ueans cor esponded with his wants. Hence
re spared no effort to induce his sister 10
rmain in n state of widuwhood. md many
we're the devices ~ which he iesolted in order
% gain this end. Some Of her suit0rs be ab-
olUteiy frightened away, for he was a big,
sIociouE-lGo!;'n& man, and notorious
Tuiser: to ohers-t!e imOecuniUus ones he
mt money in small sums, and then dunncd
hcm 80 peislttentlg thtt they gave up visit
stig; and, if he thought man was really
dangerous, he lad Z knack OF picking up
acmc queer detail about his past life, which
# course, he rrt,lled TO Mrs Slycrtcn and
% on through the list. Aud, 80 long an the
tdys own affections were not deeply en-
aged, the Majors plans worked to pelfec-
on. l-r- iEN
But elnons the most frequent visitors at
he widows house IN Curzon street was n
'enfltmun who was beyond the reach alike of
sh' majors threats or persnasious, and for
hat reason caused the crafty warrior endless
rncaaneSs and perturbation OF spirit And
his vas the Hon Percy RaplGas. Younger
,.rother Of the Earl OF Cuilerfun. ] he Hon
Grey possessed every qualification calculated
% recommend him In rer10le eyes, except
rlsh, character and reputation Every avuila-
yes iv'rcI!n he had long since got rid Of and
re snbs sted now upon his wits and few
hundreds gfudglnGly dnled ont to him by his
ptO,her His cha acter Was more than shady,
nd his dcalings with the fair sex VIGOROUSLY
audaloUs. sill, he WAS o popul;.r sort OF
mp: Wo,ncU liked him becattse he was
ludsonc, amusing, sympathetic, and men
no woitld not have dreamed of being mixed
- with him III money transactions, v0ted
ann an excellent companion ana d good
pOrtslnau. ) all wonder that the ma or's
'iaTt SINK within him when thnr fascinating
2Cisonasc began 10 lay siege to the hand and
urt nc of 5irs. Sil.eiton.
''Why do yur lit that fellow hang abent
.ou?'' he inquired one day of his sister
What fellow she asked, with assumed
innocence.
why, that scamp, Rapiess. of course, ~
.srowicd the major.
My dear Alec, because he's so useful. He
ranges Sil my parties for me, and settles
me decorations; h & musical, too and finds
,Nt the new waltScs: besides, lie has s,icn
aste Look how beautifully he has draped
hose curtains !"
''Norsense 'growled the major. Hes
camp, | tell yuul He'd swindle anybody,
and, rs for wonen--n
well, n doesn't swindle me, said Mrs
'Ilyer'"n, snapplshy. ''andhe knows all the
9est people so l,ls reputation doesn't matter
lnd he does not m Ike love to me. either, "
she outnurd, with 81 ghtly heightened
soior, which is more than | can say for
aome of your friends.
The RAZOR saw hat he had gone too far.
oni" meant tn warn you, Teresa, he re-
marked, hambiy. II donh think he is de-
sirahl" friend"
You are always warning me, u she re-
snrtrd, and the subject dropped; but Crasller
let nstlnrtNeIy that there was danger in
thc air-aud he MAS right.
H.
The attraction OF the Hon. Percy had, un-
don bieuly, made u deep imp esSlOn upon tue
widows heart. She was romantic and seuti-
aental, A!d 50 was he, when 1t sui cd his
purpose 80 he so. He quoted poetry to her
Brro =, Shelley and De MuNset: his tastr in
window curtains and wall papers was unim-
peaehabie: he could sing a Ii tie, play the
pane little, and was never at Il loss for COZ
yeIsutIon. St..i, she dissrusted him. and hal
II not been iol The majors wRrning-which,
% course, had an effect exactly contrary to
That viii Il wds lutClded-Air. Rapless might
NOT have stood so high H. her good graces
There w.s also ARCHER reaSoh which dis
9,std her to listen [avo"ably to the Hon.
Re cy's adNances, ana this was such an eml
DeDfly Il minnie one rs to req ire some little
eiuc idat .ou. Among her act Refs VAS GER
saln John Bangtuu, Il brrls'er, nun Dara-
y ely hrietie1s; poor. reserved and tiespsr
ely pgnGnd. L"ugton came to the littl
buase IN CtfEpn street. appd eiuy because
" eonld not heiph mSelf: Inc never made love
~ NJ widow, winch plqued her not attic:
ut Ghen he SIT cely ever opened has lips to
ny titier Wuniau-a fact whlch aroised h.,
interest lie WAS, neN er heiess, brilliant
t,ler VII n he cho Z to exert himself, and
IFS SIlrerton WIS clever enough to SEE that
IL was really in hove with her, but was afraid
# showing his devote lest 1t should be put
lowI to mere tortI"e-h lit ng. Often she
.ir,ed oltrageoilSly with R4pless under his
pery puse in the hope Of arouslng hls jeal.